Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area
Apr 22, 2011
by
RedBackpack
—
last modified
Apr 22, 2011 11:11 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area
- Region: Eastern Washington -- Yakima
- Agency: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Avg Rating: 3.00
- Why You Should Go Now
- Wildflowers blooming
- Be Aware Of
- No water source
Today was a perfect day to get out on the trail!
The trail (really more of a road) is closed to motor vehicles until May 1st, so you have to park right off of Vantage Highway and walk am extra 0.8 miles or so to the upper parking area.
We saw an amazing array of wild flowers, lizards, hawks, beetles, loads of ants, and even a (white-tail?) deer! We did see multiple cow carcasses in various stages of decomposition at the second fork in the trail, or about 1.25 miles in. This was an eerie start to our day, but we quickly became enamored with the shear beauty of this landscape. For us, the many gigantic wind turbines added to the experience, as they contrasted beautifully with the natural surroundings.
We met a lovely couple hiking right in front of us (also WTA members) who saw two coyotes running off of a ridge on the way back to the parking lot. Incredible!
Both of our parties did agree that this trail description is likely inaccurate. The trail stay on the ridge of the mountain and only drops into the coulee after about 7 miles. We always bring a pedometer with us and have become very adept at translating steps into mileage. Between the extra walk from the lower parking lot and the extra time to actually get to the coulee, this trip should be about 14 miles roundtrip. After May 1st, when you can get to the upper parking lot, it's probably about 10 miles.
Incredible walk, unique landscape, amazing views, all in all this was a fantastic hike!
The trail (really more of a road) is closed to motor vehicles until May 1st, so you have to park right off of Vantage Highway and walk am extra 0.8 miles or so to the upper parking area.
We saw an amazing array of wild flowers, lizards, hawks, beetles, loads of ants, and even a (white-tail?) deer! We did see multiple cow carcasses in various stages of decomposition at the second fork in the trail, or about 1.25 miles in. This was an eerie start to our day, but we quickly became enamored with the shear beauty of this landscape. For us, the many gigantic wind turbines added to the experience, as they contrasted beautifully with the natural surroundings.
We met a lovely couple hiking right in front of us (also WTA members) who saw two coyotes running off of a ridge on the way back to the parking lot. Incredible!
Both of our parties did agree that this trail description is likely inaccurate. The trail stay on the ridge of the mountain and only drops into the coulee after about 7 miles. We always bring a pedometer with us and have become very adept at translating steps into mileage. Between the extra walk from the lower parking lot and the extra time to actually get to the coulee, this trip should be about 14 miles roundtrip. After May 1st, when you can get to the upper parking lot, it's probably about 10 miles.
Incredible walk, unique landscape, amazing views, all in all this was a fantastic hike!
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